Apparatus and methods for revitalizing artificial turf fields

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for revitalizing artificial turf fields are disclosed. In one exemplary apparatus, the apparatus may comprise a support frame, a plurality of shearing machines installed on the support frame, and a plurality of wheels installed on the support frame. The support frame may be configured to position the shearing machines parallel to each other to tilt the shearing machines with respect a surface of the artificial turf field, and to position the shearing machines above a surface of the field at a distance such that the shearing machines cut fibers to produce trimmed fibers that have a length that can extend above infill or topmost layer of the artificial turf field. Methods for revitalizing artificial turf fields using the same are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/608,881, filed May 30, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application 62/344,333, filed on Jun. 1, 2016, the entiretyof which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to artificial turf fields and moreparticularly to apparatus and methods for revitalizing such a field as aresult of damage over time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application generally relates to apparatus and methods forrevitalizing artificial turf fields, and in particular to apparatus andmethods for cutting a portion of the fiber height.

Artificial turf fields provide many advantages and have become a popularoption for stadium and other athletic fields. The installation ofartificial fields can involve significant work and capitalcontributions. The installed fields will generally be durable and havean extended life span. Even so, fields will have an expected operationlife until which time the quality of the fibers will degrade. This canlead to both aesthetic and performance issues with the turf. Replacingthe entire field can again lead to significant work and capitalcontribution. The standard approach in the past has been to replace thefield or in some cases, replace a section of the field. The latter canrequire cutting the fiber entirely down to the backing and replacingthat section with newly tufted backing material. A recent approach toaddressing these issues proposes a revitalizing process in which thefibers on the field are cut to a length that extends above a certainlevel, such as the level of the infill material. This approach canremove worn or damaged portions of the fiber at the tip of the fiber,above the infill. The trimmed fibers can provide a “renewed” turf field,in conjunction with potential adjustments to the height of the infill.

Currently, there is very little, if any, equipment that is configured tosupport this operation. The applicant has spent significant time andresources in research and development directed to developing suchequipment. Many considerations affect this process. For example,artificial turf is not the same natural grass. It has different physicalproperties and the equipment would need to effectively operate toaddress this distinction. For another example, equipment too big maymake it difficult to maneuver and operate and equipment too small mayrequire more effort to revitalize the entire field.

The present invention is directed to solving these and other issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of examples in accordance with the principles describedherein may be more readily understood with reference to the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, where like reference numerals designate like structuralelements, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the apparatus for revitalizingartificial turf fields in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the apparatus for revitalizingartificial turf fields in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the apparatus for revitalizingartificial turf fields being supported by a different set of wheels inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the apparatus forrevitalizing artificial turf fields in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a rear view of one embodiment of the apparatus forrevitalizing artificial turf fields in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view of one embodiment of the apparatus forrevitalizing artificial turf fields in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts another bottom view of one embodiment of the apparatusfor revitalizing artificial turf fields in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 8-9 depict additional views of one embodiment of the apparatus forrevitalizing artificial turf fields in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Based on research and development conducted by the applicant, newapparatus and methods have been developed for revitalizing artificialturf fields. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the apparatus 100 forrevitalizing artificial turf fields. The apparatus 100 may comprise asupport frame 105, a plurality of shearing machines 110 installed on thesupport frame in two rows, a plurality of wheels 115, 117 installed onthe support frame, and an attachment member 120 installed on the supportframe. The apparatus 100 may be connected to a vehicle (e.g., tractor)via the attachment member 120 and be moved by the vehicle. The apparatus100 may be pushed by the vehicle in a mowing direction X to revitalizean artificial turf field. The apparatus 100 may also be pushed in themowing direction X by individual(s). The apparatus 100 removes a portionof the fibers on the artificial turf field via the plurality of shearingmachines 100 while it rolls on the field. The trimmed fibers may providea renewed artificial turf field.

The support frame 105 may comprise a base 107. The base 107 may comprisea first beam 107 a, a second beam 107 b perpendicular to the first beam107 a, a third beam 107 c perpendicular to the second beam 107 b andparallel to the first beam 107 a, and a fourth beam 107 d perpendicularto the first beam 107 a and the third beam 107 c and parallel to thesecond beam 107 b. The beams 107 a-107 d may form a rectangular orsquare shape. The beams 107 a-107 d may define an empty space or ahollow space 108.

The support frame 105 may also comprise two struts 125. The struts maybe installed in the base 107. The struts 125 may extend between thesecond beam 107 b and the fourth beam 107 d. The struts 125 may beperpendicular to the second beam 107 b and the fourth beam 107 d andparallel to the first beam 107 a and the third beam 107 c. The struts125 may be installed in the hollow space 108. The struts 125 may bespaced from each other and from the first beam 107 a and the second beam107 c.

The struts 125 may be adjustable on the base 107 to different heightswith respect to the ground or the artificial turf field. Each strut 125may be adjusted to the same height or different heights. The struts 125may be installed below the attachment member 120. Each of the struts 125may be configured to allow the shearing machines 110 be inserted throughthe strut 125 and be attached to the strut 125. The shearing machines110 may be inserted through the strut 125 in a direction from the thirdbeam 107 c toward the first beam 107 a. FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectionalview of the apparatus 100 and it shows the shearing machines 110inserted through the strut 125 and attached to the strut 125. Theattached shearing machines 110 may be tilted with respect to the surfaceof the field 190 or the base 107. The attached shearing machines 110 mayform two rows of shearing machines parallel to each other. In oneembodiment, one row may be about 8 feet long. All the shearing machineson one row may be aligned with respect to each other and tilted at thesame angle. The tilted angle may be an angle between the shearingmachines and the surface of the field. More specifically, the angle ismeasured by the direction of comb/cutter (the line formed by the flatshape of the comb/cutter) on the machine relative to the surface (flatplane of the surface) of the ground. The angle may range between andincluding 7 and 13 degrees, with the preferred angle being 10 degrees,which was found to provide the best performance. All the shearingmachines 100 on another row may also be aligned with respect to eachother and they may be tiled at the same angle as the shearing machineson the former row. The two rows of shearing machines may be separatedfrom each other at a distance. The two rows of shearing machines arealso separated from both the first beam 107 a and the third 107 c beamat a distance. The two rows of shearing machines are perpendicular tothe second beam 107 b and the fourth beam 107 d. Each shearing machine110 on each row is also separated from adjacent shearing machines at adistance. The distance is preferably less than the cutting width of thecutting mechanism. Each shearing machine 100 on each row may beseparated from adjacent shearing machines such that there is an emptyspace in between. Each cutting mechanism of the shearing machines on therow with less shearing machines (first row) may be placed between thecutting mechanisms of the shearing machines on the row with moreshearing machines (second row) such that a portion of each cuttingmechanism on the first row overlaps a cutting mechanism on the secondrow adjacent to the cutting mechanism on the first row. In this way, nouncut turf is left behind. The overlapping portion preferably has ameasurement of 1.5 inch.

For example, each cutting mechanism of the shearing machines on thefirst and second row has a cutting width of 5 inches and adjacentshearing machines on the second row are arranged to be 2 inches apart.Each cutting mechanism on the first row is positioned behind the 2-inchspace such that a portion of that cutting mechanism overlaps a portionof one of the adjacent shearing machines on the second row (e.g., 1.5inches) and a portion of another one of the adjacent shearing machineson the second row (e.g., 1.5 inches). Each cutting mechanism on thefirst row completely covers the space between adjacent shearing machineson the second row. (I can include a figure to explain if this is notclear)

The number of shearing machines on each row may be the same ordifferent. Preferably, the number of shearing machines on each row isdifferent. In one embodiment, the number of shearing machines on one rowis one more than the number of shearing machines on the other row. Therow that has more shearing machines may be the row that revitalizes aportion of the artificial turf field first before the other rowrevitalizes the same portion, which is the strut 125 that is closer tothe first beam 107 a. In particular, when the strut 125 closer to thebeam 107 a is configured to have 21 shearing machines and the strut 125further from the beam 107 a is configured to have 20 shearing machines(the “21-20 configuration”), the apparatus 100 provides best performancein revitalizing artificial turf fields compared to other configurations.This configuration produces a more uniform cut of the fibers and lead tomore synthetic fibers being cut (all or almost all of the fibers theapparatus 100 comes across with). Thus, no efforts or little efforts areneeded to ensure that the field is revitalized after the apparatus 100finishes revitalizing the field or as the apparatus 100 is revitalizingthe field. Applicant conducted various solutions and found, based ontesting, that this approach provides the best performance.

The shearing machines 110 can be conventional sheep shearing machines,which operate in a similar manner to human hair clippers in that apower-driven toothed blade, known as a cutter, is driven back and forthover the surface of a comb. The comb may also be known as a clipperguide or a clipper guard. The blade and the comb may be collectivelyreferred to as a cutting mechanism 110 a. The shearing machine 110 mayhave a body 110 b supporting the cutting mechanism 110 a. When theshearing machines are aligned with respect to each other (regardlesswhich row), the cutting mechanisms are also aligned with respect to eachother. The cutting mechanisms of all the shearing machines 110 on bothstruts 125 may point to the same direction or toward the first beam 107a. When the shearing machines 110 are tilted on the support frame 105,the cutting mechanisms 110 a may be tilted closer to the surface of thefield compared to the body 110 b (or further from the frame 105 or base107). The shearing machines 110 may be individually powered. Theshearing machines 110 may also operate individually, e.g., the operationof one shearing machine does not depend on another shearing machine orthe remaining shearing machines. The shearing machines may haveelectrical power connected that are connected to a battery or generatorthat is carried or pulled by the vehicle. Optionally, the battery orgenerator may be placed on the support frame 105. The control foroperating the shearing machines 110 may be mounted on the attachmentmember 120 and be electrically connected to the shearing machines 110.The control may turn on and off the shearing machines 110. The controlmay be further configured to adjust the height of the cutting mechanism,the shearing machine 120, and/or strut 125.

The shearing machines 110 or the cutting mechanisms are spaced above thesurface of the artificial turf field at a distance for cutting a portionof the fibers in order to revitalize the fibers for renewed use of thefield. The tip of the cutting mechanism or the cutting path is parallelor relatively parallel to the surface of the field. The distance betweenthe cutting mechanisms and the surface of the field may be adjusted. Thedistance may be adjusted by moving the strut 125 to which the shearingmachines 110 are attached to a different position or height on the base107. In this adjustment, the distance may be changed without changingthe position of the shearing machines 110 with respect to the strut 125.The distance may also be adjusted by moving the shearing machines 110closer or further from the strut 125. In this adjustment, the distancemay be changed without changing the position of the strut 125 withrespect to the base 107. The distance may also be adjusted by movingboth the position of the strut 125 with respect to the base 107 and theposition of the shearing machines 110 with respect to the strut 125. Thedistance may also be adjusted by moving the support frame 105 to adifferent height. The support frame 105 may be moved to a differentheight by adding a spacer to each connection between the support frame105 and the wheel 115 to increase the height of the support frame 105.For example, a spacer may be added between the cylindrical rod 142having a larger diameter and the cylindrical rod 145 having a smallerdiameter. The spacer may have a dimension ranging between 1/16 inch and1 inch. Regardless the distance between the cutting mechanisms and thesurface, the tip of the cutting mechanism or the cutting path is alwaysrelatively parallel to the surface of the field.

The distance between the cutting mechanisms and the surface determines afiber length to be cut by the shearing machines. The distance betweenthe cutting mechanisms and the surface is adjusted such that there is aportion of the remaining fiber extending above the infill or the topmostlayer of the field after the shearing machine cuts the fiber. In thewords, the trimmed fiber has a length that can extend above the infillor the topmost layer of the field. The remaining fiber or the trimmedfiber refers to a fiber that is cut by both rows of shearing machines.The distance between the cutting mechanisms and the surface may beadjusted such that the cutting mechanisms are spaced above the surfacewithout contacting the infill or the topmost layer of the artificialturf except the fibers.

When the field is without any infill or other layers on the backing ofthe artificial turf (e.g., the artificial turf of the field has only abacking and fibers tufted into the backing and extending above thebacking and nothing else), the distance between the cutting mechanismsand the surface is adjusted such that the remaining fiber has a lengththat can extend above the infill or the topmost layer of the artificialturf when the infill or other layers are applied to the backing.

If desired, in some embodiments, the distance between each cuttingmechanism and the surface may be adjusted individually and the distancemay be the same or different for each cutting mechanism. This may applyto any row or strut in the apparatus 100. Moreover, in some embodiments,the distance between the cutting mechanisms and the surface for one row(assuming all the cutting mechanisms in one row are equally spaced abovethe surface, e.g., 2 inch) may be the same as or different from thedistance between the cutting mechanisms and the surface for another row(assuming all the cutting mechanisms in another row are equally spacedabove the surface, e.g., 1 inch, 2 inch or 4 inch).

In some embodiment, the apparatus 100 is adapted such that the cuttingmechanisms are at the lowest setting (e.g., where the distance betweenthe cutting mechanism and the infill is the shortest among all thesettings) of the shearing machine, are at a height that is not capableof sheering a fiber completely or almost completely (e.g., cannot cutthe entire portion that extends above the infill or there is a portionremaining above the infill after the cut).

The cutting mechanism may have a cutting width extending in the samedirection in which the struts 125 extend. The cutting width determinesthe number of fibers to be cut by the shearing machine. The cuttingwidth may be adjusted to have different widths. The cutting width may beadjusted by replacing the cutting mechanism with another cuttingmechanism that has a different cutting width. The cutting width may alsobe adjusted by adjusting the cutting width of the cutting mechanism ifthe cutting mechanism has such a capability. In that instance, thereplacement of the cutting mechanism is not necessary. The cutting widthis preferably three inch, but it may be other width such as four, six,or eight inch.

If desired, the apparatus 100 may include a single or multiple shearingmachines that use one or more comb and cutter arrangement for a cuttingmechanism. For example, instead of a conventional sheep shearing machine(e.g., having a three inch head), a larger comb and cutler (e.g., 4, 5,10, and 20 inches) can be manufactured and installed on the supportframe 105 to cut the fibers.

Lubricant may be applied to the cutting mechanism 110 a to minimize thefriction between the blades and the comb during movement. Lubricant maybe applied directly to the cutting mechanism 110 a, to the shearingmachine that provides the lubricant to the cutting mechanism 110 a, orto the strut 125 that is configured to direct the lubricant to thecutting mechanism 110 a. Lubricant may also be applied to otherlocations of the apparatus 100. Lubricant may be oil or other materialthat has similar properties. In general, sheep shearing machines includethree locations that are designed for applying lubricant to the machine,which supply lubricant to corresponding areas of a sheep shearingmachine. Apparatus 100 may be configured to include (and carry) tubing,a reservoir (for holding the lubricant) and valves or other componentsfor selectively lubricating the shearing machines (e.g., such as duringoperation).

Apparatus 100 can also be configured to include and carry controlcircuit (e.g., a switch) and electrical elements that are installed onthe support frame 105 to turn the shearing machines “on” and to supplyelectricity to the machines. Apparatus 100 can also include circuitryincluding wires and switches that provide a kill switch for quicklyshutting off the shearing machines. The kill switch can be positioned ona tractor that is pushing apparatus 100 so that the driver can operatethe switch.

The wheels 115 can swivel on the field and allows the apparatus 100 tobe moved in any direction. The wheels 115 may be installed directlyunder the base 107 such that the wheels 115 are between the base 107 andthe surface of the field. The wheels 115 may also be installed on thebase 107 in a manner such that they extend from the base 107 in adirection parallel to the surface of the field. In this manner, the base107 is not above wheels 115. The wheels 115 may support the supportframe 105 above the surface of the field (so the support frame 105 orshearing machines do not contact the surface on which the wheels roll).The wheels 117 may also be installed on the support frame 105, and theinstalled wheels 117 do not touch the surface of the field when thewheels 115 are in contact with or roll on the surface of the field. Thewheels 117 may be installed at a location of the support frame 105 thatcan support the support frame 105 at a pivoted position or that cansupport the support frame 105 without the wheels 115 touching thesurface of the field (e.g., the third beam 107 c). The wheels 115 and117 are foam tires or foam-filled tires.

FIG. 3 depicts the apparatus 100 being supported by the wheels 117. Thewheels 117 can also swivel on the field and allows the apparatus 100 tobe moved in any direction. The apparatus 100 may be pulled toward thetractor 140 by the tractor 140 via the attachment member 120. Theapparatus 100 may be pulled toward the tractor 140 to a pivoted positionsuch that the wheels 115 are lifted above the surface of the field andthe wheels 117 are supporting the apparatus 100. In the pivotedposition, the third beam 107 c may be closer to the surface of the fieldcompared to the first beam 107 a. The apparatus 100 may be moved on thefield in the pivoted position by the tractor 140.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the attachment member 120 may be installed onthe base 107 via a pair of brackets 122 that extend from the first beam107 a and the third beam 107 c. The attachment member 120 may beinstalled on the base 107 in a direction perpendicular to or thatextends between the first beam 107 a and the third beam 107 c. Theattachment member 120 may comprise a first attachment beam 120 aconnecting the first beam 107 a and the third beam 107 c and a secondattachment beam 120 b connecting the first attachment beam and a vehicle(e.g., a tractor). The second attachment beam 120 b may comprise an endconnecting to the first attachment beam 120 a and another end connectingto a vehicle. The end connecting to a vehicle may also be configured toallow an individual to maneuver the apparatus 100 at ease, such ashandles or other similar structures. The control for operating theshearing machines may also be mounted to the same end. The vehicle orindividual may exert force on that end toward the support frame 105 tomove the apparatus 100 in the mowing direction X. While moving, theshearing machines 110 on each row reduce a portion of the fiberextending above the infill or the topmost layer of the artificial turf.The trimmed fiber has a length that can extend above the infill or thetopmost layer of the artificial turf. On the first attachment beam 120a, the second attachment beam 120 b, or the area where the firstattachment beam 120 a and the second attachment beam 120 b are joined,there may be a mechanism configured to be connected to the vehicle andallow the vehicle to pull the apparatus 100 to the pivoted position.

FIGS. 4-9 are included to further illustrate one embodiment of thepresent invention.

In one approach to cut a portion of a fiber, the two rows of shearingmachines may cut a part of that portion in one direction and may cut theremaining part of that portion in another direction to completely cutthat portion, instead of cutting that entire portion only once using thetwo rows. In other words, the apparatus is pushed over the surface inone direction such as over the length of field and then the apparatus isturned around and pushed over the same surface in the opposite direction(after a height adjustment) to further cut the turf in that path in thefield.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may further comprise a vacuum andvacuum nozzles positioned at, above, or around the cutting mechanisms tosuck away the cut or removed portions of the fibers as the apparatusrolls over the turf to cut the fibers. The vacuum may help straightenthe fibers that are not yet being cut so the fibers can be cutuniformly. The vacuum should have a suction power that is strong enoughto suck away the removed portions of the fibers but not the infillmaterial or the topmost layer of the field.

Counterpart method embodiments would be understood from the above andthe overall disclosure. Also, broader, narrower, or differentcombinations of the described features are contemplated, such that, forexample features can be removed or added in a broadening or narrowingway.

Although the apparatus is described with respect fibers on theartificial turf or synthetic fibers, it is understood that the apparatusis also applicable to revitalizing real grass.

Conventionally, when a field needs to be replaced, it is removedcompletely and thrown out. The field is completely removed by cuttingthe fibers on the field down to the backing. Embodiments of the presentinvention are directed to apparatus and methods that do not cut thefibers down to the backing. The current standard for the height of afiber is 2.5 inch and for the height of the infill is 1.75 inch.Embodiments of the present invention involve a longer fiber, e.g.,between 3 inch and 4 inch, and a higher infill height, e.g., between2.25 inch and 3.25 inch. After a period of time, e.g., after 8-10 years,1 inch to 1.25 inch of the infill is removed and 1 inch to 1.125 inch ofthe fiber is cut. For example, if the fiber was 3.5 inch long, it wouldnow be 2.5 inch long and the infill height would now be 1.75 inch.

The artificial turf field may be prepped before the apparatus is used onthe fibers. A brush can be applied that is used to remove infill down toa certain height from infill (e.g., without removing all of the infill).The brush may also help to straighten the fibers. The fibers aresupported by the infill that remains on the field and help to keep thefibers upright, which aids the cutting operation. Preferably, infillmaterial that can damage, interfere, or dull the cutting mechanism isleft at a layer below the surface of the infill that exist after theinfill is removed in preparation for the cutting (or is not used in theinfill). The infill removal can for example involve the removal of oneinch of infill which can help to position the cutting path and thesheering heads to be at the height that can cut a desired length fromthe fibers as the apparatus rolls over the surface.

A conventional sheep shearing machine in the present arrangement and/orconfiguration as the cutting mechanism was found to provide the bestperformance based on testing that was conducted. The particular comb andcutter used in such machines provides the cutting mechanism. Othervariations are also contemplated.

The words “may” or “can” are used in the present description to indicatethat this is one embodiment but the description should not be understoodto be the only embodiment. The word “configured” is also understood toinclude the meaning of adapted.

In some embodiments, a brush is not used or included on apparatus 100for the purpose of brushing, straightening, pushing up the fiber. It isto be understood that the embodiments of the present invention describedherein may be contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art and thatthe scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodimentsdisclosed. While specific embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind withoutsignificantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scopeof protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

1. An apparatus for revitalizing an artificial turf field comprising: asupport frame; a plurality of shearing machines installed on the supportframe; a plurality of wheels installed on the support frame; and whereinthe support frame is configured to position the shearing machinesparallel to each other, to tilt the shearing machines with respect to asurface of the artificial turf field, and to position the shearingmachines above a surface of the field at a distance such that theshearing machines can cut fibers to produce trimmed fibers that have alength that can extend above infill or topmost layer of the artificialturf field.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of shearing machines comprises a cutting mechanism and a body,and the cutting mechanism is tilted closer to the surface of the fieldcompared to the body.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein thecutting mechanism of each shearing machine points to the same direction.4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support framecomprises two struts and the shearing machines are inserted through thestruts and attached to the struts.
 5. The apparatus according to claim4, wherein all the shearing machines on one of the two struts areparallel to each other.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 4, whereinthe shearing machines on one of the two struts are parallel to theshearing machines on another one of the two struts.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein the support frame comprises a plurality ofbeams defining a hollow space.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the two struts are installed on the support frame such that thestruts are in the hollow space.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the number of shearing machines on one of the two struts is morethan the number of shearing machines on another one of the two struts.10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the shearing machines ofthe strut having more shearing machines cut a plurality of fibers beforethe shearing machines of the strut having less shearing machines cut thesame fibers.
 11. An apparatus for revitalizing an artificial turf fieldcomprising: a support frame; a plurality of shearing machines installedon the support frame to form two rows of shearing machines parallel toeach other, wherein one of the two rows has a number of shearingmachines more than the number of shearing machines on another one of thetwo rows and wherein the shearing machines of the row having moreshearing machines cut a plurality of fibers before the shearing machinesof the row having less shearing machines cut the same fibers.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the shearing machines aretilted with respect a surface of the artificial turf field.
 13. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the shearing machines arepositioned above a surface of the artificial turf field at a distancesuch that the shearing machines can cut fibers to produce trimmed fibersthat have a length that can extend above infill or topmost layer of theartificial turf field.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 11, whereineach of the shearing machines comprises a cutting mechanism and a body,and the cutting mechanism is tilted closer to a surface of the fieldcompared to the body.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, whereinthe cutting mechanism of each shearing machine points to the samedirection.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein all theshearing machines on one of the rows are parallel to each other.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the support frame comprises aplurality of beams defining a hollow space.
 18. The apparatus accordingto claim 17, wherein the two rows of shearing machines are installed onthe support frame such that the two rows of shearing machines are in thehollow space.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 11, furthercomprising a plurality of wheels installed on the support frame.
 20. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein one of the two rows has 21shearing machines and another one of the two rows has 20 shearingmachines.